Kanu appeals dismissal of his application by trial court

Tdetained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has filed an appeal against the decision of a Federal High Court ( FHC), in Abuja, which dismissed his objections to continued trial. Justice Binta Nyako had in a ruling on March 19, dismissed his bail application and refused to grant the objection he raised against his trial, but ordered an accelerated hearing.

In his notice of appeal dated and filed March 28, 2024, through his counsel, Mr. Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu is asking for an order from the Court of Appeal, Abuja to allow the appeal and set aside the trial court’s decision.

The IPOB leader had filed a preliminary objection seeking an order for some conditions to be met by the Federal Government before his trial at FHC could proceed.

He had alleged that the Department of State Service ( DSS) personnel stopped his lawyers from taking notes, spying, and intruding on his consultation with his lawyers on matters about his defence, among others. He also alleged that the DSS seized documents of his lawyers during visitation and that he had not been given adequate time and facilities to defend himself under Section 36( 6)( b) of the 1999 Constitution ( as altered).

However, in his notice of appeal, Kanu listed Nigeria as the only respondent.

In his three grounds of appeal, he stated that the trial court erred in law when it assumed jurisdiction to proceed with the hearing of the criminal trial against him when he was denied the constitutional right to a fair trial.

Kanu alleged that he was denied adequate facilities to prepare for his defence on the criminal allegations against him and his right to counsel of his own choice, thereby occasioning a grave miscarriage of justice.